About this role
Job summary
Responsive Services are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Community Sister/Charge Nurse to join our Virtual Ward team. This role sits within a friendly, supportive, and forward-thinking service, working under the leadership of the Virtual Ward Team Lead.
As part of the Responsive Services team, you will also work collaboratively within the wider Urgent Community Response and Virtual Ward teams.
Aligned with the NHS Virtual Ward model, our service enables patients to receive safe, effective, and high-quality care in the comfort of their own homes as an alternative to hospital admission. Using a combination of clinical expertise and digital technology, we support acutely unwell patients to be cared for safely at home while maintaining close clinical oversight.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and compassionate nurse who is passionate about delivering innovative, patient-centred care. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide outstanding care to patients and their families, ensuring a seamless and responsive service.
The Virtual Ward operates 7 days a week from 8:00am to 8:00pm, offering continuity of care and flexibility in service delivery.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work in a caring, supportive, and professional environment, delivering high-quality, person-centred nursing care to patients within the Virtual Ward. The focus of the role is to promote patient health, wellbeing, and independence while ensuring safe and effective care in a home setting.
The Community Sister/Charge Nurse will be expected to work autonomously, managing a defined caseload, while also contributing effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team. A key aspect of the role includes providing clinical leadership, supervision, and support to junior staff, fostering their development and confidence in delivering patient care.
You will be responsible for undertaking comprehensive and holistic patient assessments, developing and implementing care plans, and evaluating patient outcomes. Physical assessment skills are desirable; however, a willingness to undertake further training to develop these competencies is essential. The role also involves close collaboration with Frailty Consultant Physicians to ensure safe, responsive, and high-quality care, including participation in daily virtual ward rounds and contributing to daily patient treatment and care planning.
Due to the community-based nature of this role, a full UK driving licence and access to a car are essential.
About us
Do you want to be part of an organisation recognised as one of the top community providers to work for in the country, delivering high quality NHS care? (2025 Staff Survey results)
First Community is a staff owned social enterprise rated Good by CQC, which delivers NHS community services across east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We are looking for individuals who share our values First-rate care, First-rate people, First-rate value.
First Community is a great place to work, everyone has a voice and is supported to develop their career to its full potential. We offer all our staff: NHS terms and conditions, high quality training and development opportunities, flexible working to enable a good work life balance, an inclusive and friendly work environment, NHS pension, flexible retirement options and various employee benefits.
Please talk to us before applying or at interview about the flexibility you need. We may not be able to meet your needs exactly, but we do promise to fully consider your request and meet your needs where possible. Flexible working options may vary depending on the role.
At First Community we welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities. All applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments.
Sustainability is integral to First Community achieving the NHS Net Zero target.
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder will work under the direction of the Virtual Ward Matron/Team Lead and in collaboration with the East Surrey Hospital based Virtual Ward Frailty Team (Consultants, Junior Doctors, Frailty Matrons and Pharmacists).
The role will require flexibility, working alongside the Referral Hub, Urgent Community Response and Intermediate Care Teams as part of Responsive Services.
The post holder will collaborate with Community Nursing, and Specialist Health Care Teams across First Community, liaising with social care and voluntary agencies to deliver excellent standards of patient care.
The post holder is responsible for a comprehensive assessment utilising extended health assessment skills to identify health and social care needs of patients within the Virtual Ward and Responsive Services. With the aim to facilitate patients early discharge from hospital and reduced the need for admissions to the acute setting where the patients care can be safely managed at home.
You will be expected to communicate effectively with family, carers, the multidisciplinary team, voluntary organisations and other agencies, to facilitate a timely discharge from the acute environment. Utilising a variety of strategies to maintain independence and support the patient to remain at home. Providing, physical assessment, practical nursing care, education and training for patients and carers.
You will act as a role model for junior team members and contribute to the promotion of an environment which encourages and supports development of staff using evidence-based nursing practice.
Person Specification
Knowledge Essential
Awareness of current healthcare legislation affecting community and secondary care services Clear understanding of health and social care services
Skills Essential
Competency an ability to assess and treat a wide range of complex conditions within related field Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Decision making, prioritising and problem solving skills Ability to organise the workload, able to delegate and prioritise Good knowledge of health and safety and risk management Basic IT skills Flexible approach to service delivery Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team Demonstrates an awareness of the complex issues involved when working across organisations and disciplines
Qualifications Essential
Relevant NMC qualification Educated at relevant degree level Practice Assessor/Supervisor Evidence of Continued Professional Development Management/leadership experience Evidence of accredited study
Desirable
Health/physical assessment module at degree or masters level
Experience Essential
Experience of working post registration in a wide range of clinical environments Experience of MDT working Experience in line managing junior staff Experience in working in a community healthcare setting Experience of initiating and participating in clinical audit
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name First Community Health and Care
Address First Community Health & Care C I C
5-7 Queensway
REDHILL
RH1 1YB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)